“Babies! Babies! Where are my babies?” This is how I often call my kids as my term of endearment to them. Then suddenly, today, someone is complaining.

“I’m not a baby anymore,” says my four-foot-eight-year-old daughter who seems to be maturing faster than I thought. “Please call us kids instead.”

So, immediately I react, “Why should I not call you baby?”

“It’s OK for you to call me baby when it’s just the two of us or three of us, or a few of us; but when we’re in public, like when we’re in school, please do not call me baby anymore,” she carefully responds.

“Why, Hale? Do you feel ashamed,” saying it with a funny twist on my face.

Slowly, she shows a smile of embarrassment, then nods.

Oh! My baby is now embarrassed to be called “baby” in public!? Waaaah!!! Does puberty really happen at age 13 or age 8? Tell me!